What are the real issues in the Dioceses?

Our recent PYC Consultation was packed with activity and action. From workshops, to discussion groups, everybody was encouraged to participate and contribute towards the various topics.

Every year each of the Dioceses are given an opportunity to present the status of the young people’s ministry. We noted the issues and challenges which surfaced the most often and selected the top 3 to workshop.

Here, are the three top issues faced by the youth in their respective Dioceses:

There’s a lack of support by the clergy at Parish level.

There’s a lack of time and finance investment in children and youth ministries.

There’s a lack of leadership training and development.

Here are the suggested solutions for the 3 challenges:

CHALLENGE No. 1 – THERE’S A LACK OF SUPPORT BY THE CLERGY AT PARISH LEVEL

Intentional mentoring should be provided and encouraged by the leaders of the Parish.

Support must be provided after any training was done.

We need to do a skills audit in the parish and to identify potential leaders and facilitators.

Train on the various roles in the church and who can be identified to occupy them.

Liturgical education is required (Anglicanism).

SUMMARY

Effective collaboration between elders and youth is firmly based on building good and healthy relationships. This must always be our starting point. Once we have developed a relationship built on trust and openness, we can move on to exploring the above issues.

And, the young people can make the first move on this. Do not wait for someone to approach you. Reach out, yourself. Trusting in God, you are able to do great things (1 Tim 4:12).